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Welcome to Close Call Sports. CCS objectively tracks and analyzes close and controversial calls in sport, with great regard for the rules and spirit of the game. Developed from The Left Field Corner: MLB Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (UEFL), whose purpose is to objectively track and analyze umpire ejections, video instant replay reviews and their corresponding calls, with great regard for the rules and spirit of the game.

Thursday, March 17, 2016

UEFL University - Video Rulebook - Ball

The following entry in the UEFL Video Rulebook pertains to the pitched ball designated as "Ball," one of four necessary for the batter to achieve a one-base award.

During a batter's time at bat, the count reflects how many pitches of each type the batter has seen in the form of Ball-Strike; for instance, a 3-1 count corresponds to three balls and one strike. Upon receiving his fourth ball, the batter achieves a one-base award known as a walk. There are several ways for a "Ball" to be added to the count, click each image to view a video example of the indicated term:

A pitch not swung at by the batter and which does not at any point enter the strike zone, when caught by the catcher, shall be ruled a ball. This includes any such pitch which bounces prior to reaching home plate, even if the ball subsequently bounces into the strike zone.

A pitch which makes contact with the batter while the batter is legally within the batter's box is a Hit By Pitch (HBP). Award: Dead ball, Batter awarded 1st.Exception: A batter who makes no attempt to avoid being hit will not be awarded 1st base (dead ball & Ball only).

A pitcher who executes a pitch when the batter is not ready to receive it may be called for a quick return pitch. This is an illegal act. Similarly, a pitcher who takes too long to pitch may receive an automatic ball (consuming greater than 12 seconds with no runner on base).Award: Dead ball, Ball added to Count.

A pitcher whose delivery fails to reach home plate or either of the foul lines has made an illegal pitch (short). Another illegal action resulting in a ball is a pitcher on the rubber touching his hands to his mouth, except when previously authorized by the umpires.Award (No Runners on Base): Ball.Award (Runner[s] on Base): Balk.